(2013/Fantastic Voyage) 99 tracks - digipac -The concept of
vanity or custom record pressing was certainly not originated by Starday
Records in 1954, but it was a no-brainer to a new record company; rural
artists without a recording contract could pay upfront to have the
record company press a limited run of discs (usually 300), which the
artist could then use to promote live appearances with local radio
stations and, sometimes, sell to fans at their gigs. It was a no-risk
venture for the record company as they would not lose any money if the
records didn’t sell, but they were in prime position to take advantage
if the song, the recording or the artist began to achieve wider
popularity, while the advantage for the artist in having your record
custom pressed was that you were not placed at the mercy of a record
company A&R man trying to guide you into producing something that
would be more commercially viable – you could keep your own style,
produce the music you wanted to make and, thus, keep your musical
integrity. -In the period 1953-1970, there were well over 700
singles pressed by Starday in this fashion, and the compiler has
cherry-picked 101 of the best in the rockabilly or hillbilly bop genres.
Because of their absolute rarity and extreme collectability, they are
some of the most sought-after and, thus, expensive singles of all time
and we feel comfortable in suggesting that, track for track, Teenage
Blues contains probably the most valuable set of recordings you will
ever own.